My friend had been declarer at today’s three hearts. West cashed two high diamonds and shifted to a club, and East took the ace and returned a club.

“I won and cashed the A-K of trumps,” declarer told me. “When East showed out, I led a spade to finesse with dummy’s jack. East won, and West got a trump trick for down one.

“I thought I’d had no chance as the cards lay, but I soon found out differently — from my wife. She remembered the bidding, and I didn’t.”

LAST CLUB

West hadn’t opened but held the K-A of diamonds and Q-J of hearts. He likely had the jack of clubs also, so South could suspect that East had the queen of spades. After South wins the second club and takes his high trumps, he must cash his other high club, dropping West’s jack, and the A-K of spades, then exit with a trump.

As it happens, West has no more spades and must concede a ruff-sluff and the contract.

ANSWER: This is an uneasy problem. A rebid of two hearts would promise a longer, stronger suit, and a bid of two spades would show much more strength. Neither is your hand strong enough to bid 2NT. Bid two diamonds. Partner’s bidding suggests at least five diamonds, so the contract will be playable if he passes.

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